Gnome Ubuntu Remix 12.10 and Linux Mint 13 KDE

Canonical’s persistent efforts to perfect the new age Unity desktop for Ubuntu Linux has gotten them in trouble with lots of long-term users, but the Ubuntu project is always quick to point out to the critics: “This is Linux. If you don’t like the desktop, change it!”

As it turns out, the Ubuntu project actually builds its own Gnome-based Ubuntu, and we are bringing it to our readers with this month’s DVD. Gnome Ubuntu Remix 12.10 is a full version of the latest 12.10 “Quantal Quetzal” Ubuntu release that boots to a default Gnome 3.6 desktop.

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This month’s DVD lets you test the latest release from the popular Linux Mint project. Linux Mint 13 “Maya” is based on Ubuntu 12.04 “Precise Pangolin” and thus is compatible with the Ubuntu repositories.

Linux Mint is a wildly popular Ubuntu-based desktop Linux with an emphasis on simplicity. Along with a strong assortment of open source applications and utilities, Mint takes pains to provide proprietary drivers and other helper tools for seamless-as-possible operations. The Mint 14 release features a new Windows Quick-list app for managing windows across multiple workspaces, as well as Alt+Tab window-switcher virtualization and a handy notification tool. Also debuting with this release is the new Nemo file browser, a fork of Gnome’s Nautilus file manager based on the Nautilus 3.4 codebase.